"Daniel, is something wrong?" Janet asked when she was finally able to break her gaze from the hyperspace window.
He shrugged, cradling his cup of coffee in his hands. "I was just thinking about the baby," he explained, finding her eyes. "We don't know much about Ba'al other than the few times we ran into him… I mean, I had never expected him to abduct Sam let alone let her go and keep the baby. What on Earth would a Goa'uld want with a baby? They're not the most patient race we know."
"I know," she sighed, placing her elbow on the table to let her head rest on her hand. "But Ra had children around too, right?"
"Yeah," Daniel grimaced, "but he apparently used them as a human shield."
"Oh," Janet gasped in horror. "How could anyone do that?"
He shrugged again, even after all these years incapable of understanding the Goa'uld. "He was a Goa'uld and to them the children were slaves. Children of their lo'taurs, slaves. Possibly raised for true loyalty and backup hosts."
"Do you… do you think that's what Ba'al wants with the baby?" She asked cautiously, uncomfortable with the ideas that his words had conjured.
"Honestly? I have no idea," Daniel admitted, ducking his head. "I wish I knew more… for all we know he has lots of children on his planets, although with his personality I doubt it."
"Me too," Janet agreed, having heard stories about the Goa'uld over the years and knowing what he'd done to the then-Colonel O'Neill a few years ago.
A silence fell upon the two friends, as both stared into their coffee cups, lost in thought. Janet and Thor had decided to take a break before they would meet up with Heimdall and Daniel was preparing himself to hit the books and the database on his laptop to try and learn more about Ba'al and the planet An'eke had mentioned, Kadesh.
Daniel was the first to break the silence as he stretched to get up. "Janet? What if we do find Ba'al or a bunch of children… how will we know which one is Sam and Jack's?"
"Ah, well, I don't know," she stammered a bit, taken aback by his question. "Research has shown that 90 percent of mothers who have been exposed to their newborn babies for just 10 to 60 minutes after birth were able to identify by smell alone which of several undershirts had been worn by their own babies. And breast-fed babies as young as six days old apparently turn their heads reliably towards cotton pads that their own mothers had worn against their breasts, when given a choice between those and identical looking pads that had been worn by other lactating women," Janet offered.
"That is of course assuming she had any contact with the baby," he grudgingly argued.
She nodded pensively. "Yes, that is true, but I think she has fed the baby at least once after delivery. I doubt Ba'al would let the child cry incessantly or take it away immediately–"
"Yeah, he'd probably enjoy tormenting Sam by tearing the baby away after a few moments," Daniel huffed, getting angry.
"That too," Janet admitted, "but also because of the state in which we found Sam. There was no sign of a recent delivery… well, not until she lactated."
Daniel finally stood, his palms flat on the tabletop. "Let's just hope that we find the baby on the ship."
"Yeah," she bobbed her head, her own mind screaming in agreement. "Oh and Daniel?" Janet remarked when he was about to walk away.
"Janet?"
"The Asgard are probably able to do a DNA test," she replied, shaking her head in disbelief that she hadn't thought of that sooner. "Even if they can't, we can still do one when we get back."
"Of course," he groaned, again reminding himself that he was aboard the ship of a technologically advanced alien race. It had become almost normal for him to travel around the stars that he sometimes forgot. "Well, I'd better hit the books and see if I can find something important. At least before Jack and Sam get back from their nap."
"Good luck."
Jack shifted somewhat uncomfortable underneath the covers, trying to will himself asleep as his fingers kept caressing Sam's side, from his to ribcage and back. He'd felt a bit tired after his early mission this morning and not a lot of sleep last night, but the moment he'd slipped in the bed, spooned behind his wife and realized that she was only wearing panties he'd felt wide awake! Her skin was soft under his fingertips and he couldn't help himself, he just had to touch it. He was a little surprised that she had hardly reacted when he crawled in, she'd only stiffened when he pulled her against him but hadn't tried to get away, didn't say anything and had slowly relaxed when he'd let go of her waist.
"Jack?"
"Ssh," he hushed softly, pressing a kiss on her bare shoulder. "Get some sleep."
She laughed, her voice slightly hoarse. How could she fall asleep when she could feel his chest – his bare chest – against her back, his heat warming her colder skin and his fingers lazily drawing invisible patterns on her side? Honestly, she had tried but his touch was too distracting. At first, she'd tried to blame it on the fact she was in an unfamiliar bed, on a spaceship nonetheless but as she tried to ignore his fingers and breath hitting the back of her neck, her own breathing had refused to even out. Instead, her breathing had slowly become more erratic and, embarrassed, she'd practically turned her face into her pillow so that Jack wouldn't notice. Biting her lip, she once more called upon her restraint but soon realized it was of no use.
Jack's fingers halted, hovering over her skin as she wrapped her arms around her chest and before he could do or say anything, she rolled over and looked at him with her dazzling blue eyes. "What?" He asked, seeing the corners of her mouth curl upwards while she was worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Reaching out his hand, he brushed her bangs back. "Sam?"
Looking down for a moment, Sam made sure to keep her modesty with her left arm covering most of her breasts and grasped his hovering hand with her right one. She let out a nervous giggle as she released her lip and looked up at him from under her lashes. "Jack," she whispered his name and leaned forward.
He forced himself to keep focusing on her face, her sparkling eyes instead of lowering his eyes down her delicious body. "Yeah?" He replied in the same tone but was unable to say more when her lips touched his. Gasping at the touch of her sweet lips against his, he was about to protest because he didn't want to force her, nor did he want her to do this to forget about her worries for a moment. However, as he opened his mouth, her tongue found its way in and before he could stop himself he was kissing her back, relishing in her taste. Her hand pushed against his chest, while the other was still entwined with his and soon he found himself on his back, with her sprawled on top of him. "Sam," he moaned as their bodies touched, her breasts pressed against his chest, her hardened nipples teasing him, her silky back under his right hand.
"No talking," she mumbled between kisses, breathing in some oxygen before closing her mouth over his again. Her hand sneaked up his neck, teasingly scraping her nails over the tanned column until she reached his jaw and traced it with feathery touches. His skin still smooth from shaving this morning but rougher than her own, a sweet contrast. Then she trailed back and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, still holding onto his hand with her right hand, pulled his face closer to hers as her tongue traced his gums, teeth and explored the rest of his mouth.
Jack groaned when his tongue found hers again, her taste so unique and familiar, yet still surprising and arousing to him. His hand slid down her back until he reached her panties and slipped his hand under the waistband to cup her rear and push her closer against him as he moved his own hips. His eyes closed and his ears, mouth and skin only aware of her, all his other senses completely focused on her labored breathing, her moans, her taste, her feel… yet he needed more. With reluctance, he released her hand to cup the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her long locks.
Shifting her weight, Sam moved to cover his body with hers and broke away from their passionate kiss. Slowly she sat up, his arousal pressing against her ass and looked down at him as she licked her lips slowly. "We've waited long enough," she panted slightly, her chest heaving from excitement and adrenaline. "No more interruptions, Jack."
He narrowed her eyes holding her gaze as his hands blindly found her hips to rest on. The covers had fallen off, rumpled at the foot of the bed and there she sat, his wife, on top of him, in her naked glory. Finally allowing himself to look further, he let his eyes wander over her body. Her dog tags snugly in place between her full and firm breasts with their rosy nipples swaying slightly with her breathing, her ribs still protruding more than usual, her taut stomach, hipbones sticking out a bit… still beautiful, though. "Are you sure?"
Sam grinned saucily at his hoarse tone, nodding her head as she let her hands wander over his chests. Scraping her nails over his small nipples, rolling the chain of his dog tags over his skin she moved her hips, grinding against him. "Positive," she murmured leaning down to capture his mouth again.
No longer able – nor willing – to resist her, Jack nodded minutely and reached up to meet her mouth. He immediately thrust his tongue inside, his hands moving up her side, over her back, tracing her spine before cupping her breasts. "You're beautiful," he whispered against her lips, breaking the kiss to nuzzle her ear and neck. His hips bucked as she moved lower down his body, his erection suddenly pressing against the damp crotch of her panties. "God Sam," he growled, his hands sliding down to grab her hips as he ground against her, the friction heavenly and yet torturing.
"Want you," she replied, kissing his chest, her tongue darting out to play with his nipples. She sucked one into her mouth before moving to the other, making him writhe under her. Alternatively, she licked and nipped his skin, nuzzling the small amount of chest hair and playing with his dog tags.
He grasped her hair, pulling slightly to force her to look at him. "I want you too," he said passionately as he tugged more, waiting for her to sit up. When she did, he did too and captured one of her nipples in his mouth. He knew he had to be careful because he so did not want to ruin the moment by making her lactate again – not that he minded, but he knew she'd freak out again.
Throwing her head back, Sam moaned loudly, her hips uncontrollably and unabashedly grinding against him. His hot mouth around her aching nipple and his hand kneading her other breast was almost too much. "Jack," she gasped, desire shooting through her veins and she felt herself grow wetter. "More," she ordered as she held his face against her breast and arched her back with pleasure.
Reluctantly, Jack let go of her nipple, nuzzling the silky breast and pressing kisses on the valley between both breasts. Licking around the ball chain, the metal providing a distinct yet pleasurable contrast with the sweetness of her skin he made his way to her other nipple, intent on giving it the same treatment before it got too much for her. Her skin was warm to the touch, the alabaster flushed beautifully with her arousal and it only turned him on even more so he closed his eyes again. Her soft little whimpers and moans made him push himself even harder against her core, annoyed with the barrier of clothing. "Take them off," he growled around her wet nipple as he pulled on the flimsy cerulean panties with one hand, the other occupied with her breast.
"Jack," tugging on his hair, she pulled back from his hot mouth too, the cool air hitting her wet skin sending another jolt of arousal through her body. Lowering her chin and opening her eyes, she locked onto his dark, passion-filled ones. His grin was almost feral and the longing and desire on his face reflected her own as she placed both hands on his chest and pushed him back down on the mattress. One last time scraping his nipples with her nails, before soothing them with her lips and tongue as she leaned forward, she slowly made her way down his body. Never breaking contact with his boxer-clad arousal she rubbed herself against him, then straddled his thighs as he pressed into her lower belly until he was practically throbbing between her breasts, her dog tags and chain teasingly moving over his erection as she nipped at his stomach with her teeth.
"For crying out loud," he moaned, feeling like he was about to explode when she giggled and her breath hit him through the fabric. Bucking, he slid his hands through her hair and tugged on it until she looked at him. "Take them off, Carter!"
Lifting herself, she snapped a quick salute – smirking when she saw his eyes darken with arousal as her breasts swayed with the movement – and grabbed the waistband. "Yes Sir," she replied saucily, pulling them down his legs and throwing them on the floor before shimmying out of her own panties. Pouncing on him, Sam grabbed his hips to continue her interrupted journey down his body, nuzzling the dark and silvery trail down his stomach.
Jack breathed in deeply, calling upon his self-control as she slowly starting kissing around his arousal, her silky long locks hanging around her face and caressing his straining cock whenever she moved her head. "Fuck," he muttered, the tantalizing feeling of the soft blond hairs almost too much. His hands came up of their own volition, tangling with those locks to stop the torment before he'd blow and it would all be over. "Sam," he gasped when her wet mouth kissed her way up the base of his erection, her breath and moans sending thrills through his body, forcing himself to push his hips deeper into the mattress before he'd buck in her face.
Enjoying the taste and scent of him, Sam softly hummed as she kissed, nipped and licked his erection until she reached the weeping head and swirled her tongue around it. She almost yelped when Jack pulled harshly on her hair, her head snapping up to glare at him.
"Too much," he groaned, his breath labored from exertion. It had been too long, way too long since they'd made love and he couldn't even remember the last time he'd been buried inside of her. Jack knew it was the last time they were together before she'd gone missing but the exact details were vague, because you never think it's going to be the last time in that moment. Before she could say anything, he leaned up on one elbow and pulled her up by the arm. "I want you, God, I need you," he whispered against her mouth as their foreheads rested against each other.
Sam slid her hand down her own body before grasping him and, lifting up slightly, guided him inside of her. "Now," she moaned as the head pushed in, stretching her so exquisitely it was almost painful.
Jack let out a breath of relief, which soon turned into a groan as he grabbed her hips and pulled her down. Despite the few orgasms he'd given her in the last couple of weeks, she'd hardly been penetrated, her muscles tight and squeezing around him deliciously, which it only made it harder for him to do this slowly. Not just pull her down as he pushed up his hips, no matter how much he wanted it. "God," he hissed as he slid in further, her warmth encompassing him and her inner muscles fluttering around him.
Placing both hands on his chest, she pushed down for the last few inches, whimpering as she took him in entirely. "Oh," she moaned slowly, allowing herself time to adjust while the woman inside of her urged her to move. Her legs started quivering, with anticipation or from the strain, she didn't know. All she was aware of was him, inside of her, filling her.
"Okay?" He asked worriedly, brushing her bangs out of her face as he forced himself to stay still.
"Feels… so good," she replied softly, throwing her head back as she started moving, riding him until she couldn't take it anymore.
Picking up the pace as droplets of sweat made their way down his shoulders, Jack started thrusting harder, his hands on her hips helping her keep up with him. He recognized her soft whimpering and that cute little frown that formed on her face as she scrunched up nose, her moaning getting louder and louder as he slid his hand down and opened her for his eyes. He'd never tire of that image, watching her slide up and down his cock, her legs trembling from exertion and her clit peeking out from under its hood. Tearing his gaze away to look at her face, his fingers found the little bundle of nerves and caressed it. Gently at first and then a bit rougher as she started moving wilder, twisting her hips as she moved down on him, her luscious breasts bouncing with her movements. Her lips moving but no sound other than sweet little moans came from them until he pressed down hard and she flew apart, screaming. Her release shocked him to the core as she came hard, her muscles clamping down on him until he too came hard, groaning her name as he emptied himself inside of her.
"Oh, wow," Sam said, trying to catch her breath. "That was… wow."
"Amazing," he grinned, pulling her down for a kiss. "C'mere," he whispered against her lips, rolling them to the side as he pulled the covers up with his foot and drew them up around her shoulders. "God, I love you," he murmured in her ear, before nuzzling her neck, breathing her in as his hands once again resumed their caressing of her side, her skin sweaty and damp. "Get some sleep, Samantha."
"My Lord, our scanners are indicating ships nearing our position," Til'vak reported curtly.
Ba'al looked up from his musings and shot him a glare. "Well, what are you waiting for? Contact them," he barked, once again wondering how much longer it would take for his First Prime to return from his quest. At least he was somewhat competent.
"Immediately," he replied, bowing his head in respect before using the console in front of him.
"What is taking so long?" Ba'al asked impatiently, one eyebrow arched as he looked down on the Jaffa present from his chair. The screen sprang to life, showing a tanned Jaffa with a gold tattoo he recognized immediately; a star within a circle, the eight points representing the movements of the planet Venus. "Jaffa," he said smoothly, smirking at the screen as he made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "You too," he added when his own Jaffa left the room but the First Prime on the screen remained. "Let me speak to your goddess, Jaffa kree."
"Of course, my Lord," he replied, making a respectful yet quick bow as he stepped aside.
"My love," Ba'al greeted the attractive female, her green eyes sparkling at him.
Astarte smiled seductively at him. "My Lord," she purred, batting her eyelashes.
He smirked at her. "I had not yet expected you."
"I am aware," she replied, absentmindedly playing with the amulet around her neck. "Our meeting was not until two more days," she continued, "however, I wished to be informed of our progress."
"You were to contact Ba'alat," he chided her, "and remain on Kadesh until you were called upon to meet me here on my ship."
Widening her eyes, she looked innocently at him. "I have not yet crossed the altered mine field, therefore, I cannot visit your ha'tak."
He growled in response, glaring at her. "Yet you disregarded our agreement, Astarte," Ba'al said in the same tone.
"Ba'alat did not hear my calls," she stated petulantly as she crossed her arms, pouting. "She is rejecting my attempts and thus forcing me to contact you, my love."
Ba'al narrowed his eyes at the screen, irritated with this behavior from both females. "Very well, I will allow you safe passage, but only your ha'tak. And leave your Jaffa behind, I do not need more incompetent fools."
"Unlike some, my Jaffa are not incompetent," Astarte replied haughtily. "They are trained well and do not carry the pathetic offspring of Ba'alat."
"Silence woman, before I change my mind," he retorted as his hands were working the console.
"You would not," she said confidently. "You would not dare to betray me, my love. You need me."
Raising his brow, Ba'al looked at the screen. "You always did stand out with your smugness and arrogance, even among our own kind."
"Is that not why you love me?"
"Of course," he replied absentmindedly as he cleared a path in the minefield for her mothership. "You know I adore you, my queen."
"As you should," she said sweetly. "Now, can I pass the field?"
Sitting back in his throne, Ba'al smirked at the screen. "You can, dear Astarte. Trust me," he added, winking when she glared.
"Implicitly," she answered automatically before the connection was severed.
He laughed at her retort and called in his Jaffa. "You," he pointed at one, "restore the field once the ship has passed. Do not kill my queen."
"I would never dare to do so, my Lord," Til'vak replied hastily. "Unless, of course, you want me to."
"I do not," Ba'al snapped as he turned around, his cape swishing with the movement. "Hasshak," he muttered under his breath as he left the peltac. "You, come with me," he waved towards two Jaffa in the corridor, "the rest remain here." They nodded sharply and then he made his way over to meet his lovely queen. He waited near the ring transport, his incompetent Jaffa aiming their zat'nik'tels and staff weapons at the center of the room. The rings activated and this time he stood face to face with his queen. "Welcome my love," he greeted her, waving at his Jaffa to lower their weapons and leave them.
"My Lord," Astarte replied, inclining her head.
Stepping towards her, Ba'al leaned forward and kissed her, his mouth unerringly finding hers despite the hood still covering most of her face. "Follow me."
"Always, my dear," she said coyly, not yet uncovering her face until they were in private. "To your private chambers?"
"Of course," he smirked over his shoulder, leading the way.
Knowing he couldn't see her, Astarte rolled her eyes but meekly followed. "We have business to discuss first."
"Do we, now?"
"Yes, my love," she replied. "I wish to be informed of the progress of our research and quests as well as an update on the child."
"All work and no play makes Astarte a dull queen," Ba'al quipped suggestively.
Following him inside the chambers, she made sure the door closed behind them before untying her cloak and let it fall down. A lo'taur immediately sprang forward to catch it. "Leave us," she ordered at the three present. Shaking her mahogany curls free, Astarte raised a brow at him. "You have been spending too much time on the Tau'ri planet."
"Perhaps," he grinned, sitting down on a sofa. "But those humans are so… entertaining. They make good furniture too," he added, padding the comfortable sofa.
"It is your reputation," she countered as she sat down.
"It has been too long," Ba'al said, turning serious as he grasped her cheek and leaned in.
"Business first," she held her fingers against his mouth. "Ba'alat is undermining my authority-"
Sighing, he fell back in the couch and straightened his cape. "She does not," he interrupted her, already exasperated.
"-and you do too," Astarte continued.
"I do not," he snarled at her.
Ignoring his outburst, she turned and gestured around. "You do not allow me free access to your ships or your Jaffa, Ba'alat denies me access to the research and-"
"Yes, you are not allowed to roam free," he interrupted her again, smirking. "You have to remain hidden, unless you want to be a target for the Tok'ra, the Tau'ri or those shol'vas."
"The Free Jaffa?" She asked.
"Indeed and do not gloat, it does not become you."
She laughed, throwing her head back before rising. "I have reason to gloat; none of my Jaffa has ever betrayed me, they are loyal and unlike yours, competent," she winked at him, before lowering her voice. "They do not even know the meaning of the word 'shol'va.' Moreover, gloating does suit me. It gives me a certain… je ne sais quoi."
Ba'al snorted, stood and bowed sarcastically. "Of course, my queen."
"You dare mock me?" She asked, glaring.
"There," he smirked, cupping her cheek. "You are beautiful when you glare or glower."
Slapping his hand away, Astarte stepped towards his private console. "I am always beautiful. Now, shall we contact Ba'alat, my Lord?"
A/N: I've thought about it long and hard, and have decided to add more Ba'al-scenes for a better understanding of the story – I hope. Oh, and I will post an image on my twitter (see profile for link) for those who are interested in Astarte's symbol.